Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

It gives me great pleasure today to introduce members of the Wodonga & District Turf Club and friends to the House, because we want to pay tribute to the Victorian turf club volunteer of the year 2016, Mr Terry Maher.

Terry was born to a strong racing family. His dad and mum, Jack and Monica Maher, were already entrenched on the committee of the Wodonga & District Turf Club. From day 1, Terry was around horses and always going to land a role in the industry. As a 17-year-old aspiring trainer, Terry joined the Wodonga & District Turf Club committee alongside his dad, Jack, who was president from 1958 to 1960.

The Maher family, I have to say, is a three-generation racing family in our community. We currently have Terry and Gail working. We have Peter and Julie Maher, Jack, Sam and Alex. It is not often you get a chance in parliament to sing the tributes of a family that has made such a difference to our local community.

Not only has Terry been awarded volunteer of the year; I would also like to acknowledge Kevin, Paul and Tom, who have made the effort to come to parliament today, because we are seeking funding to build a convention centre at the Wodonga race club. It is already a fantastic facility, and we want to make it bigger and better. I know this is the right committee to do it, and I am calling on the minister to come forward and give us the funding we need. Thank you.

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